How airlines handle pets in transport – and how language changes might improve it

Like most of you, I was upset when I read the story about the dog who died on a United Airlines flight. A flight attendant had insisted the dog’s family put their beloved companion in an overhead bin for the duration of the flight, rather than under the seat, as airline pet policies dictate. There is no ventilation system in an overhead bin. As a result, the dog tragically suffocated in flight.

While pets and other animals travel all the time without incident, this event is unsettling. I find it hard to believe that a flight attendant thought it was okay to put a dog in an overhead bin. There are only four ways a pet can travel on a plane, and I expect once you read them, you will never, ever mistakenly think a pet can fly in an overhead bin.

Checked Baggage Cabin
This means that a pet can travel inside the cabin with an adult passenger in an airline-compliant carrier under the seat. This works great for small dogs, cats and other pets under 20 pounds.

Checked Baggage Cargo
This means pets that are not permitted in the cabin can accompany a passenger on a flight by traveling in the airplane’s cargo hold. These animals are often brought out to the passengers at the baggage pick up areas.

Manifest Cargo – This means that pets are travelling alone, unaccompanied by a passenger, in the airplane’s cargo hold. These pets must be picked up at a different location (cargo area) at the airport.

Service, Comfort and Emotional-Support Animals – These animals may travel in-cabin with a disabled passenger but must meet be approved prior to the flight.

I am listen to the language people use around animals, and believe that changes in language can impact how we care for them. So, I noticed that in three of the four modes of air travel noted above, pets and animals are referred to as “cargo.” Only the Service/Comfort Animals category recognizes them as sentient beings.

Airlines should review their policies and rewrite the language to better reflect that there are other sentient beings on board the plane besides humans.

Instead of referring to them as Checked-In Baggage Cabin, how about referring to them as In-Cabin Animal Passenger?

Instead of referring to them as Checked Baggage Cargo, how about referring to them as Animal Passenger, In-Cargo.

Instead of referring to them as Manifest Cargo, how about referring to them as Unaccompanied Animal Passenger, In-Cargo.

If airlines referred to pets as “Animal Passengers” instead, perhaps airline staff put their care and well-being ahead of their cargo.

About the Author

Cathy M. Rosenthal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, communications and humane education in the animal welfare field. She has worked for local humane societies and national humane groups, appearing on hundreds of television and radio news and public affairs programs to address animal issues. She currently is a consultant for local and national animal welfare organizations, writing grants, annual reports and other marketing materials. She is also the author of several children's books about animals.